How to Get Your Child to Practice … Without Resorting to Violence! – Cynthia V. Richards & illustrated by Jane Dalley

Helping Parents Practice – Ed Sprunger

Can I sign up for private lessons, but not group lessons?

We only offer the combination of private and group lessons for all of our students. We have adults participating in many of our classes, and we feel strongly that group classes are very important. Group lessons are built in to the cost of lessons in our program, and the majority of the cost of lessons is for private lessons.

Saturday Group Lessons

Reading class uses a sequence of graded materials, or materials of the teachers’ choice, from beginner books to orchestra materials. The ensembles of ESE and EYO are open to the public for a fee. See Our Ensembles for information.

Where can I learn about instrument care and maintenance, as well as how to sell our violin that’s too small now?

How long should my child practice?

Set up a routine to practice every day at the same time, and practice at least 5-10 minutes, and for beginners, 30-40 minutes is fine. A good rule of thumb is to practice every day — to last as long as your private lesson.

For older kids, have a set series of things to-do notes from lessons or a practice chart can help, so kids see an end in sight. Establishing a routine of scales, exercises for 3-5 minutes at the beginning of practice, review, etc., then get to the new literature.